For an archive on RLA updates, click here.
What’s New ?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and useful information:
- Licensing and Registration appeal process
- RLA presentation on how to onboard my clients
- I didn’t receive the initial communication from SARS to migrate to RLA, but I’ve received the notice for suspension?
- How to navigate the RLA System
- How to conduct the merging of your tax types
- Registration and Licensing – External Policy
- Customs Trader Portal – External Guide
- How to access Customs Registration, Licensing and Accreditation on eFiling
- Activation of Registered Representative
- Customs and Excise Relationship Management – External Guide
- Managed shared access through eFiling – External Guide
- Find a Publication – eFiling guides
- Letter to Trade on RLA Onboarding – 26 August 2022
See the complete list of FAQs at the bottom of this webpage, scroll down.
- 29 June 2023 – Facilities Code List updated:
The SC-CF-19-A02 – Facilities Code list – External Annexure was updated. The facility codes used in Box 30 on the Customs Clearance Declaration (CCD) have been updated due to:
- The name changes of:
- De-grouping depot 56 in ORTIA from Hellman to Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Pty) Ltd.;
- Container depot K4 in Johannesburg and L2 in Port Elizabeth from Zackpack Johannesburg (Pty) Ltd. to Zacpak Johannesburg Depot (Pty) Ltd.; and
- The cancellation of de-grouping depot 67 Expeditors SA (Pty) Ltd.
This enables Customs to transmit electronic messages to these facilities communicating the status of the consignment. If the applicable facility code listed in SC-CF-19-A02 is not inserted in Box 30 on the CCD, the CCD will be rejected by Customs.
- The name changes of:
What is RLA?
Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA), which is part of the New Customs Acts Programme (NCAP), is the new electronic platform for the management of registration/licensing applications. The new electronic registration/licensing process is being implemented under the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act, no 64 of 1964. This will allow for easier transition into the Customs Control and Duty Acts of 2014.
Need help with Registration and Licensing applications?
The DA 185 – Application form – Registration and licensing of Customs and Excise Clients – External Form, the relevant annexes and the supporting documents listed in the application form must be submitted to the nearest Customs office for processing. For more information on the required supporting documents, see Legal Entity – External Standard. The applicant or the applicant’s representative (Public Officer) as per the application form must also provide his / her ID book, proof of address and contact details to the Branch Front End agent.
- For enquiries please forward an email to the following email address, for:
- Application submitted via RLA ([email protected]); or
- Application submitted manually to a Customs Branch Office ([email protected])
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For enquiries and submissions:
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If clients are experiencing technical issues to access RLA on eFiling or submitting an application, please call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277.
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Take note that as from 1 April 2022 the Customs Branch offices are no longer accepting DA185 applications via email.
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Alternatively, clients can submit applications for a Customs client number in person at the following Customs Branch offices:
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Alberton: Alberton City Mall, Corner of Voortrekker and Du Plessis Road, Alberton, Shop S21 and S22, Entrance number 10 on the first level
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Cape Town: 22 Hans Strijdom Avenue, Central, Cape Town
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Durban: Albany House, 61-62 Margaret Mncadi Avenue, Corner of Albany Grove & Margaret Mncadi Avenue, Durban
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ORTIA: 1st Floor Agents Building, Cargo Section, OR Tambo International Airport
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Port Elizabeth: SARS Customs Branch, 3 Winston Ntshona Street, Sanlam building, Port Elizabeth.
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Pretoria: 136 Francis Baard Street, Customs House, Pretoria
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- For queries on applications already submitted, you can email the following addresses. However, do not send applications (DA185) to the email addresses below as they do not capture applications:
- For applications submitted via the RLA system and the case has passed the acceptable turnaround time, please email [email protected] with the case number and name of the company in the subject line. These are cases starting with the 1000 number.
- For applications submitted via the manual DA185 form and the case is out of the turnaround time, please email [email protected] with the case number and name of company in the subject line. These are for cases starting with the 3 number.
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- For assistance on accessing Registration, Licensing and Accreditation on eFiling view our tutorial video on YouTube.
Which supporting documents are required to be uploaded to RLA?
The following documents as proof of address or contact details are required:
- A municipal account, fixed line telephone or cellular phone account or any other monthly account or statement (for example, if appropriate in the circumstances, a co-operative statement for farmers, medical aid statement, mortgage statement, SABC television licence documents, eToll account, major retail accounts) issued to the applicant that can confirm physical address of the applicant, if the applicant is located in the Republic.
- A telephone or cellular phone account issued to the applicant to confirm the applicant’s telephone or cellular phone contact details.
- If the above documents are not in the name of the applicant a commissioned affidavit is required to support the supplied documents.
Want to follow the RLA appeal process?
See the process, forms and policy here.
Pro forma agreements
Related Documents
ASPOA – Authority on Special Power of Attorney by Tax Practitioner – External Form
DA 133 – Return in respect of Spirits – External Form
DA 185 4A14 – Registration Client Type 4A14 – Registered still – External Annexure
DA 185 4A17 – Registration Client Type 4A17 – Tobacco Leaf Dealer – External Annexure
DA 185 4A4 – Registration Client Type 4A4 – Manufacturer – External Annexure
DA 185 4A6 – Registration Client Type 4A6 – Electronic user – External Annexure
DA 185 4A7 – Registration Client Type 4A7 – Producer – External Annexure
DA 185 4B1 – Licensing Client Type 4B1 – Special Manufacturing Warehouse – External Annexure
DA 185.4B12 – Licensing Client Type 4B12 – To own, possess or keep stills – External Form
DA 185.4B14 – Licensing Client Type 4B14 – Degrouping depot – External Form
DA 185.4B15 – Licensing Client Type 4B15 – Searcher of or searching for wreck – External Form
DA 185.4B16 – Licensing Client Type 4B16 – Container depot – External Form
DA 185.4B2 – Licensing Client Type 4B2 – Manufacturing warehouse – External Form
DA 185.4B9 – Licensing Client Type 4B9 – Storage warehouse – External Form
DA 185.C – Security particulars – External Form
DA 199.06A – Value of PRCCs Utilised This Quarter – External Account
DA 1A – Cargo Declaration – External Form
DA 1B – Account for fish received into Exports Storage Warehouse – External Form
DA 51 – Internal Administrative Appeal – External Form
DA 52 – Application for ADR – External Form
GEN-ELEC-18-G01 – How to Register for eFiling and Manage Your User Profile – External Guide
GEN-GEN-51-G01 – SARS Online Query System – External Guide
SC-CA-02 – Internal Administrative Appeal – External Policy
SC-CF-07 – Accreditation – External Policy
SC-CF-10 – Dangerous Goods – External Policy
SC-CF-19 – Registration Licensing and Accreditation – External Policy
SC-CF-19-A01 – Documentary Requirements – External Annexure
SC-CF-19-A02 – Facilities Code List – External Annexure
SC-CF-19-A03 – Exemption from Ad Valorem Excise Licence and Payment – External Annexure
SC-CF-19-A04 – Joint Ad Valorem Excise Licence – External Annexure
SC-CF-26 – Application to Submit Cargo Reports – External Manual
SC-CF-36 – Use of DA 490 and DA 494 – External Policy
SC-CF-42-Customs-Trader-Portal-External-Guide
SC-CF-43 – Managed Shared Access Through eFiling – External Guide
SC-CF-50 – Relationship Management on Customs Trader Portal – External Guide
SC-PA-01-11 – Traveller Processing – External Policy
SPPOA – Special Power of Attorney – External Form
TPPOA – Special Power of Attorney to Tax Practitioner – External Form
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: Where are the registration and licensing forms available?
Application forms are available on this website or from any...
Read MoreFAQ: Where do you send the forms?
Application forms must be sent to the nearest Customs office.
Read MoreFAQ: How long is the registration valid?
The registration validity period is indefinite. For licensing you can...
Read MoreFAQ: How long does it take for approval?
For Customs registrations, we will process and finalise the application...
Read MoreFAQ: Will my Customs profile automatically be migrated to RLA or is there anything I need to do from my side?
SARS will not do any data take-on to the RLA...
Read MoreFAQ: When I migrate to RLA do I lose my old Customs Code, and will I be issued with a new Customs Code?
When traders migrate to RLA, Customs will retain your old...
Read MoreFAQ: Can a non-local trader use eFiling to register themselves for importer or exporter?
Foreign principals are requested to visit their nearest Customs branch...
Read MoreFAQ: Can a Clearing Agent represent Foreign Entity and how?
A clearing agent cannot represent foreign entities. To represent a...
Read MoreFAQ: How can one declare a relationship using eFilling between a foreign entity and Registered Agent?
To declare the relationship, refer to RMM guide and take...
Read MoreFAQ: How do I apply on the RLA System using eFiling?
See our tutorial video on how to navigate the RLA...
Read MoreFAQ: How can I obtain my certificate on eFiling after I have on-boarded on RLA?
To obtain your approval notification and licensing certificate, client is...
Read MoreFAQ: How can I merge my entity profile on eFiling if I get the error message below?
If you get this error message: To be able to...
Read MoreFAQ: How to manage my tax types or merge my tax types?
To merge your tax products, see the Guide to the...
Read MoreFAQ: Guidance on how to apply for Import & Export ITAC permit?
After the trader registered as an importer or exporter with...
Read MoreFAQ: Guidance on how to apply for SACUM UK EPA?
Client can submit application through eFiling RLA system or Branch...
Read MoreFAQ: How to apply for the Registered Exporter System?
The REX is the new system of certification of origin...
Read MoreFAQ: Can I get clarity on how to apply for GSP trade agreement? Which annexures are needed?
The applicant needs to access eFiling if using Customs Trader...
Read MoreFAQ: Where can I obtain my certificate after I have registered for trade agreements?
Certificates are issued by the Customs branch. They are not electronical.
Read MoreFAQ: Can I please get the RLA manual or presentation to on-board my clients?
See the RLA system presentation for guidance.
Read MoreFAQ: Can cancelled bonds get reinstated or does the client need to reapply?
Once a bond is cancelled a client will be required...
Read MoreFAQ: What happens when one wants to apply for the decreasing/increasing of bond?
If a client is on RLA they can submit an...
Read MoreFAQ: Does the client automatically receive the old bond after the replacement has been approved?
Once a client has lodged a replacement bond, the required...
Read MoreFAQ: I did not receive the initial communication from SARS about the notice to migrate to RLA, but I have received the intention to suspend?
SARS implemented the RLA system in April 2020, since then...
Read More